The Accounting Podcast

Is private equity turning firms into a 'dumpster fire'? Blake and David unpack Accounting Today's survey showing partners are upbeat while staff are sour on PE. They hit Andersen's $176M IPO, why Big Four ties to Big Tech raise independence questions, and how AI could finally kill the billable hour. Plus, what tax pros really charge in 2025 - and the wild 'Middle Finger Ranch' fraud.SponsorsOnPay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/onpay Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casChapters(00:56) - Private Equity in Accounting Firms (01:51) - Sponsor Message: OnPay Payroll Solutions (04:15) - Arthur Andersen's Legacy and IPO (07:45) - Private Equity Survey Results (21:04) - Big Four and Tech Giants (28:25) - Pricing Models for CAS Engagements (30:22) - Tax Preparers' Fees Breakdown (36:12) - Cloud Accountant Staffing (37:34) - Economic Growth and Consumer Spending (40:26) - Fraud Stories: Middle Finger Ranch and More (43:24) - PCAOB Budget Cuts and Enforcement Actions (52:29) - IRS Readiness for Tax Season (53:43) - Conclusion and Upcoming Topics  Show NotesPE in accounting firms: From 'dumpster fire' to excitementhttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pe-in-accounting-firms-from-dumpster-fire-to-excitement Andersen Group Shares Gain 47% After $176 Million US IPOhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-17/andersen-group-shares-jump-34-after-176-million-us-ipo Andersen goes public, hits $2.6B valuationhttps://thefinancestory.com/andersen-group-ipo-2-6b-valuation The Big Four consulting firms are embedded in Big Tech. Here's who audits each of the Magnificent 7 companieshttps://www.businessinsider.com/big-four-accounting-audits-magnificent-seven-financial-records-2025-12 What do tax preparers charge? https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/what-do-tax-preparers-charge How much do tax professionals charge in 2025? Insights from NATP's Fee Studyhttps://www.natptax.com/news-insights/blog/how-much-do-tax-professionals-charge-in-2025-insights-from-natp-s-fee-study/ U.S. economic growth surges in third quarter to 4.3%https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/12/23/gdp-economy-consumer-spending/ The US economy expanded at the fastest pace in two years as wealthier Americans kept spending https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/23/economy/us-gdp-q3 Kansas accountant diverted family funds to fictitious 'Middle Finger Ranch'https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-accountant-diverted-family-funds-to-fictitious-middle-finger-ranch/ Kansas Accountant, Who Created Fictitious 'Middle Finger Ranch' for Fraud Scheme, Sentenced to 4 Years in Jailhttps://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/12/04/kansas-accountant-who-created-fictitious-middle-finger-ranch-for-fraud-scheme-sentenced-to-4-years/174381/ PCAOB to tighten budget in 2026 https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/pcaob-to-tighten-budget-in-2026 PCAOB Approves 2026 Budget https://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-approves-2026-budget Accounting Firms Must Stop Charging for Timehttps://cpatrendlines.com/2025/12/02/accounting-firms-must-stop-charging-for-time/ Dirty money gangster jailed over plot worth almost £12mhttps://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/dirty-money-gangster-jailed-over-36410033 PCAOB Sanctions CPA for Violations Related to Audit Evidence and Her Former Audit Firm for Quality Control Issueshttps://pcaobus.org/news-events/news-releases/news-release-detail/pcaob-sanctions-cpa-for-violations-related-to-audit-evidence-and-her-former-audit-firm-for-quality-control-issues Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Warren, King, 15 Senators Warn of Tax Filing Chaos After Trump Admin Attacks on IRShttps://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ahead-of-tax-filing-season-warren-king-15-senators-warn-of-tax-filing-chaos-after-trump-admin-attacks-on-irsNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info?&n...

Chapters(00:47) - Jeffrey Epstein's CPA and Lawyer (03:10) - Wall Street Journal Article on Epstein's Associates (05:58) - Discussion on Epstein's Financial Operations (14:25) - Trump's Executive Order on Cannabis Businesses (18:16) - Tax Implications for Gambling and Prediction Markets (20:47) - IRS Criminal Investigations Unit Record Year (25:13) - Lawyer Sues IRS to Recognize Dog as Dependent (28:09) - Trump's New US Tech Force (29:27) - Trump's Hiring Plans and Tech Startups (30:22) - Startup Fraud in Tax Accounting (34:23) - Intuit and Circle Partnership (36:38) - AI and Stablecoin Payments (44:16) - AI's Impact on Accounting Jobs (51:24) - AI-Powered Fraud in Finance (55:59) - Closing Remarks and Announcements  Show NotesThe CPA and the Lawyer Who Served Jeffrey Epstein—and Control His Fortune and Secrets https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cpa-and-the-lawyer-who-served-jeffrey-epstein-and-control-his-fortune-and-secretsTaking a gamble on prediction market taxation https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/taking-a-gamble-on-prediction-market-taxationLawyer sues IRS to recognize pets as dependents https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/lawyer-sues-irs-to-recognize-pets-as-dependentsSEC Charges Shiloh Luckey https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26424The FBI is investigating a startup founder accused of using VC money to pay for her house and a Caribbean wedding https://techstartups.com/2025/12/16/the-fbi-is-investigating-a-startup-founder-accused-of-spending-5-5-million-in-vc-funding-on-a-house-and-caribbean-wedding/Intuit taps Circle's USDC to add stablecoin payments across TurboTax and QuickBooks https://www.theblock.co/post/383184/intuit-circle-usdc-stablecoin-payments-turbotax-quickbooksIntuit and Circle Partner to Unlock the Future of Money Movement with Stablecoins https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1292/intuit-and-circle-partner-to-unlock-the-future-of-money-movement-with-stablecoinsAI Is Reshaping Accounting Jobs by Doing the "Boring" Stuff https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/ai-reshaping-accounting-jobs-doing-boring-stuffHuman + AI in Accounting: Early Evidence from the Field https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/human-ai-accounting-early-evidence-fieldIRS-CI issues fiscal year 2025 annual report showcasing banner investigative results https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-ci-issues-fiscal-year-2025-annual-report-showcasing-banner-investigative-resultsIRS Criminal Investigation uncovers $10.6B in financial crimes https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-criminal-investigation-uncovers-10-6b-in-financial-crimesDext warns businesses over losses from ChatGPT-style financial advice https://fintech.global/2025/12/18/dext-warns-businesses-over-losses-from-chatgpt-style-financial-advice/ChatGPT tax advice already costing UK firms, say accountants https://itbrief.co.uk/story/chatgpt-tax-advice-already-costing-uk-firms-say-accountantsTrump admin to hire 1,000 specialists for 'Tech Force' to build AI, finance projects https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/15/trump-ai-tech-force-amazon-apple.htmlOPM Launches US Tech Force to Implement President Trump's Vision for Technology Leadershiphttps://www.opm.gov/news/news-releases/opm-launches-us-tech-force-to-implement-president-trumps-vision-for-technology-leadership/Double Raises $6.5 Million Series A from Album Ventures, Jack Altman, and Y Combinator to Double Accountants' Productivity https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210027851/en/Double-Raises-$6.5-Million-Series-A-from-Album-Ventures-Jack-Altman-and-Y-Combinator-to-Double-Accountants-ProductivityZoho announces enterprise billing, spend management products https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/zoho-announces-enterprise-billing-spend-management-productsZoho Announces Zoho Spend and Zoho Billing Enterprise Edition https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251218170986/en/Zoho-Announces-Zoho-Spend-and-Zoho-Billing-Enterprise-Edition-Offering-Large-Businesses-Greater-Control-and-Flexibility-Over-Billing-Operations-and-Company-Spend-as-They-ScaleAI giving scammers new tricks, enhancing old ones https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/ai-giving-scammers-new-tricks-enhancing-old-onesFrom secure to spooked: White-collar workers face rising job fears https://www.businessreport.com/article/from-secure-to-spooked-white-collar-workers-face-rising-job-fearsNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great r...

The intriguing world of IRS agents and OnlyFans takes center stage with a discussion on the new tip deduction. Gender diversity in audit teams shows benefits, with studies revealing women-led groups deliver higher quality work at lower fees. AI disrupts the traditional billable hour, pushing firms toward fixed pricing. Controversies surrounding KPMG's exam cheating scandal and innovative child investment accounts also grab attention. Plus, Meta's off-balance-sheet practices spark questions about accountability in accounting.

The proposal from the Department of Education could redefine accountants as non-professionals, stirring fear among students and professionals alike. Deloitte's AI missteps in government reports spark debate, while EY showcases a remarkable audit turnaround. OpenAI's investments lead to discussions on AI-driven rollups in accounting. Xero unveils a new auto-reconcile feature, and Google Workspace promotes shared inboxes to aid small firms. Finally, creative networking strategies offer job seekers unique paths to opportunity.

Thanksgiving discussions sometimes get awkward, especially when money overtakes politics as a taboo topic. The 2026 job market looks bleak for new grads, raising concerns for future accountants. Listeners seek advice on CPA experience challenges, while audit partners show surprising optimism in tough times. AI's limitations are explored, revealing that human oversight remains essential in accounting tasks. Plus, insights on whether students should aim for big firms or small ones and debates around the relevance of accounting education today.

The discussion dives into how AI can enhance cost segregation, tackling tasks that typically take just a few minutes. Michael Burry's intriguing bet against AI companies raises eyebrows, alleging they manipulate earnings through depreciation strategies. Intuit's massive $100 million deal with OpenAI draws attention, aiming to integrate AI across its platforms. They also explore troubling statistics, revealing that 10% of adults act on flawed AI tax advice, emphasizing the tech's current pitfalls and risks.

James Erving, Head of Sales Americas at Fathom, teams up with Chris Macksey, CEO of Prix Fixe Accounting, to explore the evolving role of advisory in accounting firms. Chris reveals how his firm exclusively provides advisory services for restaurants, using industry trends to guide decisions on menu pricing and expansion. They discuss the importance of transforming data into actionable insights, highlighting forecasting techniques and visual KPIs that cater to clients with low financial literacy, ensuring they truly understand their business performance.

Lisa Gilreath, managing partner at Acuity, and Valerie Heckman, accountant community manager at OnPay, delve into empathetic leadership in the demanding accounting industry. They discuss effective strategies to combat burnout, such as spreading workloads and recognizing when team members struggle. The duo emphasizes the importance of building slack into capacity planning and supports the idea of monitoring PTO usage as an indicator of team health. Listeners gain insights on balancing client expectations while prioritizing employee well-being.

Madeline Reeves, Founder of Fearless Foundry, and Wesley McDonald, Go-to Market Leader at Relay, dive into the world of renegade accounting firms. They discuss how these firms revolutionize client experiences and prioritize values that lead to meaningful connections. The conversation highlights the importance of transparency in compensation and the benefits of inviting diverse talents from outside the industry. They also explore how collaboration over competition can reshape firm cultures and attract the right clients.

Mary Delaney, CEO of Karbon, known for her expertise in workflow automation, joins Kenji Kuramoto, co-founder of Acuity, a leader in client accounting services. They dive into how standardizing workflows can enhance efficiency without compromising the creative aspects of advisory work. Topics include Karbon's acquisition of Aider for automating month-end tasks and the importance of time studies for identifying automation opportunities. They also discuss integrating workflows during mergers and the role of AI in streamlining operations.